Press Releases

2016

We offer praise and glory to the Triune God, who deemed us worthy to reach the twenty-fifth anniversary since the day when, by the mandate of our Holy and Sacred Synod, we ascended the martyred Apostolic Throne of the Church of Constantinople. With God’s grace, having gladly run this long course of service in the First-Throne among the Orthodox Churches, we look back the experiences, events, prayers, journeys and activities, while at the same time looking forward with a spirit of optimism and steadfast hope to the future, even as today we exclaim the words of our saintly predecessor, St. John Chrysostom: “Glory be to God for all things.” Read more...

JOHNSTOWN, PA [National Jr ACRY] - The Annual Fall Youth Encounter will take place from Friday Nov 11 - Sunday Nov 13, 2016 at Camp Nazareth in Mercer, PA. The Encounter is sponsored by the National JR. ACRY and is open to youth ages 8-18. All Diocesan youth are invited and do not have to be a member of the JR. ACRY to attend.

The weekend will be full of fun and fellowship and will include Divine Liturgy, a religious talk with clergy, sports and a special event that is sure to be a highlight of the weekend
The encounter will begin with arrival and registration on Friday, Nov 11th from 7:00 to 9:00pm and will conclude on Sunday Nov 13, 2016 at Noon following the celebration of Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am and Brunch. Read more...

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- [Diocesan Chancery] -- The XXIII Diocesan Council-Sobor, hosted by the Johnstown, Deanery and presided over by His Grace, Bishop Gregory of Nyssa, will take place from Sunday October 9 thru Wednesday October 12, 2016 at Christ the Saviour Cathedral and Educational Center and The Holiday Inn Downtown in Johnstown, PA. Centered on the Theme: "Whatever He says to you, do it!” (John 2:5), the clergy and faithful will review the progress of the Diocese over the past three years and chart the course for the future.
While registration takes place on Sunday evening from 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm, the Sobor will officially open on Monday morning with the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Christ the Saviour Cathedral at 8:00 am which will be broadcast live . Read more...

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- As a result of feedback provided from both on-site and on-line participants, the next topic for our Diocesan on-line Orthodox Scripture Study will be the Book of Acts, (The Acts of the Holy Apostles). The study is scheduled to begin on Saturday October 8, 2016 at 5:00 pm.
This weekly on-line scripture study will be led by the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Kenneth Bachofsky, Professor of Sacred Scripture at Christ the Saviour Seminary and broadcast live from St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Warren, Ohio. This study will draw on the patristic voice of the Fathers of the Church and will provide the participants with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of this Scriptural text from the Orthodox Christian perspective. Read more...

BROOKLINE, MA [Orthodox Christian Fellowship] - The following encyclical about College Student Sunday 2016, to be observed in all Orthodox parishes in North America on Sunday October 2, 2016, has been issued by His Grace, Bishop Gregory of Nyssa, the Episcopal Liaison to the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America:

We greet you with joy as we announce the date for College Student Sunday, benefiting Orthodox Christian Fellowship. To support the incredible efforts of our students, College Student Sunday will be the first Sunday of October, running in conjunction with OCF’s Orthodox Awareness Month. This year, the date falls on OCTOBER 2.

Orthodox Christian Fellowship continues to provide students with opportunities to encounter Christ and grow in their Orthodox faith through their growing network of on campus OCF chapters led by talented students, clergy, and lay advisors as well as through programs such as regional retreats, College Conference, Real Break, and the Summer Leadership Institute.
Read more...

PERTH AMBOY, NJ [St John The Baptist Orthodox Church] -- St. John’s Church is pleased to announce the dedication and blessing of the Habitat for Humanity Memorial Building Project as set for Wednesday, December 07, 2016! This is an exciting moment as the project is nearing completion through the labors and contributions of so many Diocesan Faithful. A highlight of the dedication ceremony will be the presence of Pani Susan Rosco, and it is desired that as many Diocesan faithful as possible also be in attendance.

In keeping with the spirit of service, a final work week in association with this dedication will take place from December 05 - 10. I OCC has graciously agreed to co-ordinate this aspect of the trip. Read more...

JOHNSTOWN, PA - With great sorrow, the Diocesan Chancery announces the falling asleep in the Lord of Very Rev. Protopresbyter Paul Herbert, age 83, on Sunday, August 21, 2016. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Pani Eleanor Jean (Blaschak) Herbert; daughters Ruth Ann Herbert of Lansford and Claudia (Ernest) Pido of Mount Vernon, OH; grandchildren EJ, Kaitlin and Jacob of OH; brother John Herbert of Nesquehoning; brother-in-law Very Rev. Fr. Thomas (Magdelyn) Blaschak of Greenville, PA; sister-in-law Carolyn Duranko of Tewksbury, MA; also several nieces and nephews and many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents John and Helen Herbert; brother George and sister Mary.
Read more...

JOHNSTOWN, PA - Christ the Saviour Seminary is pleased to announce that it will be offering to the public an Introduction to Church Slavonic Class (3 credit hours) for the upcoming Fall Semester at the Seminary. Classes are offered on Fridays from 1:00pm-3:30pm. Fee is $200. The semester runs from September 12 through December 19. Read more...